Moving Mask to create Light Zoom Effect in FCP

In Final Cut Pro you can use simple shapes to create a mask to protect areas of your video image.

For example, let's say you want to add a light rays effect to one of your clips.  

We can protect the skateboarder by adding a mask above our skateboard clip. 

Navigate to the generators menu to select a mask shape.

Click on the control tab.

Decrease the size to 1% with 50% softness.

Click back onto the Video back and superimpose the shape over your clip on V1.

Next, duplicate V1 onto V3 by holding down the option + shift keys.

Turn off the visibility for the V2, and V3 tracks.

Navigate to the effects tab and find the Light Rays filter from the glow category.

Drag the filter onto the the clip on V1.

Double click on the clip to load it into the Viewer window.

Click on the filters tab at the top of the Viewer.

Adjust the amount slider to 200.

As you can see, the filter affects the entire image.

Turn the visibility back on for the V2 and V3 tracks.

Right click on V3 and choose composite mode - travel matte - luma.

This protects the skateboarder from the Light Rays.

Double click on the shape which is on V2.  This loads it into the Viewer window.

Turn on Image + Wireframe mode from the view pop-up menu in the Canvas window.

You may want to zoom out a bit from the Canvas by using the keyboard shortcut Command Minus.

Click on this add motion keyframe button.

Re-position the circle onto the skateboarder.

Move the playhead indicator forward a bit and then reposition the circle to follow the skateboarder.

Repeat this until your finished.

Okay, that's it.  Back up and play the sequence.

For other great tips like this or to enroll in a Final Cut Pro training course.  Visit GeniusDV.com